Catacombe di San Gennaro & San Gaudioso

Visit the San Gennaro Catacombs of Naples Italy - Tours & Tickets

Catacombs are located in various places below the city of Napoli. Book your tickets and guided tours to visit the Naples catacombs of San Gennaro and the catacombs of San Gaudioso.

Catacombe di San Gennaro & San Gaudioso

Naples is a city with a lot of history and a city that is characterized by the different layers that you can find under the city. The layers each represent a piece of history. The city's past resurfaces under various parts of the present city. Outside the original city you will also find ancient catacombs of which the catacombs of San Gennaro and the catacombs of San Gaudioso can be visited with a guided tour.

Catacombs of San Gennaro

The Catacombs of San Gennaro were probably and initially the tombs of a noble family. The system carved out of the tuff dates back to the 2nd century AD. Subsequently, the tombs were made available to the Christian community. Expansions of the first floor followed in the 4th century ('the basilica') after the burial of the remains of Naples' first patron, Saint Agrippinus.

The upper space of the catacomb is also known as the burial place of the bishops and became especially known after its expansion with the remains of martyr San Gennaro in the fifth century. The presence of this martyr turned the upper catacomb into a place of pilgrimage and a coveted burial ground. The catacombs of San Gennaro have much larger spaces compared to the Roman catacombs. The reason for this is the machinability and strength of the tuff.

^{The San Gennaro catacombs in Naples}

^{Fresco in the Catacombe di San Gennaro}

Catacombs of San Gaudioso

Gaudiosus of Naples (Napoli) or Gaudiosus the African was bishop of Abitinia, Tunisia in the 5th century AD. How he got into Naples was a coincidence. Gaudioso refused to convert to Arianism, so King Genseric of Tunisia put him on a boat without oars and sails and ended up in Naples. He died in Naples between 451 and 453 AD and was buried outside the city walls. His burial place soon began to arouse much devotion. From that time on, the underground Christian cemeteries expanded and gradually the catacombs of San Gaudioso arose. The fresco work you will see dates from the 5th or 6th century. Another interesting detail is the presence of two candlesticks, which you often find in African performances.

Guided Tours & Catacombs Naples Tickets

Both catacombs can only be visited with a guided tour. With the admission ticket of the Naples Catacombs that you receive at the entrance, you can also visit the other catacombs for free within 12 months. If you are only in Naples for a short time and you have to make a choice between the different Naples catacombs, we recommend the slightly larger catacombs of San Gennaro. Book your tour and catacombs of San Gennaro tickets here:

Where are the Naples catacombs?

The Catacombs of San Gennaro lie at the foot of the Capodimonte Park. The catacombs of San Gaudiose are one kilometer away (closer to the old town centre) and can be easily reached by following the Corso Amedeo de Savoia road back to the old town.